MANILA — Talisay City chess standout Recarte Tiauson strengthened his international credentials after securing third place in the Daniel Yong-Chen I Memorial Merdeka Chess Challenge 2026 Event 6 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Negros Occidental native finished the nine-round FIDE-rated Swiss tournament with 6.5 points, clinching the final podium spot on tiebreaks after battling Indonesia’s AIM Alexander Philip Kurniawan to a draw in the final round Sunday at Level 2 of KL Gateway.
Tiauson compiled six victories against two losses and one draw to emerge third among several players who finished with identical 6.5-point totals.
“My hard work paid off,” Tiauson said.
Kurniawan settled for fourth place, followed by Malaysia’s Nhavin Kumaresan, Kazakhstan’s Zhaksylyk Akylbek, Singapore’s Jie Jonathan Koh En, and Malaysians Je Hern Teoh and Yik Chean Tan.
China’s Jiayou Yang ruled the tournament with a dominant 8.5 points, while Mongolia’s WCM Sagdarsuren Uranzaya took runner-up honors with seven points.
Tiauson, regarded as one of Talisay City’s leading chess players, competed with the support of former senator Manny Pacquiao, Talisay City Mayor Atty. Weng Lopez Lizares and Talisay City Chess Club president Ely Jimenez.
The Malaysia podium finish continued Tiauson’s string of impressive performances in international competition.
At the 2025 Asian Amateur Chess Championship in Hong Kong, Tiauson scored eight points in nine rounds to tie for second place before tiebreaks relegated him to third in the final standings.
He also placed fourth in the rapid competition and finished behind fellow Filipino FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, who captured the blitz gold./PN
